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IMPORTANT NOTE: You shouldn't use this medication without a special prescription of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. When using it, you should assure that the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. It's recommended to consult your doctor before using this drug.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Esgic, Fioricet
USES: This drug is a pain reliever and sedative. You can use it to relieve mild to moderate pain and tension headaches.
TERMS OF USAGE: Take this medication with food or milk in order to prevent upset stomach. For the best effect of the medication, use it before pain occurs. When the pain becomes intense, the medication loses a part of its effectivity. Take Fioricet according to the prescription! You should never increase your dose or take it more frequently without consulting your doctor.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: In some cases using Fioricet may cause drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach, lightheadedness, nausea, and sleeping disturbance the first few days as your body adjusts to the drug. If these symptoms remain or become worse, contact your healthcare professional. Inform your doctor immediately if you suffer: a rapid/ irregular heartbeat. An allergic reaction to Fioricet is unlikely, but - again - you should notify a professional if it occurs. An allergic reaction often has the following symptoms: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. You should contact your doctor or pharmacist
in case you notice other effects not listed above.
NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS: Inform your doctor of your medical history, especially of: alcohol or narcotic dependence, serious liver disease, heart disease (arrhythmias, recent MI), emotional/mental conditions, stomach/intestinal ulcers, any allergies. Mind, that acetaminophen may cause liver damage. When alcohol is used daily, especially when it is combined with acetaminophen, this may increase your risk for liver damage. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to get more information. Do not use alcohol and other sedative type medications in order to prevent oversedation. Fioricet causes drowsiness and dizziness, so you should be careful when doing activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Do not use alcohol! This medication contains caffeine. Do not drink large amounts of beverages that contain caffeine while taking this medication - mind that it may cause excessive nervousness and irritability. You should only use this drug during pregnancy if such treatment is extremely needed, because small amounts of this medication appear in breast milk. You should consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
FIORICET INTERACTIONS: Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription medicine you may use, especially of: "blood thinners", and also of those drugs that cause drowsiness such as: medicine for sleep (e.g., sedatives), tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, or tricyclics such as amitriptyline), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), muscle relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine). Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medications containing acetaminophen such as nonprescription pain relievers and cough-and-cold products. You should check ingredients carefully before using such medications. Fioricet may decrease effectiveness of birth control pills. Probably you will have to discuss other methods of birth control with your doctor. It is not safe to start or stop taking any drug without doctor or pharmacist approval.
IN CASE OF OVERDOSE: If you suspect an overdose, you must immediately contact your local poison control center or emergency room. There may occur the following symptoms of an overdose: unusual drowsiness, loss of consciousness, lack of feeling alert, vomiting, slow or shallow breathing, cold or clammy skin, stomach pain and extreme fatigue, dark urine.
SPECIAL NOTES: Do not combine the usage of this medication with other treatment.
IF YOU MISS A DOSE: In case you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember about it, but not if it is almost the time for the next dose. Thus, skip the missed dose and keep following your usual dosing schedule. You shouldn't "double-up" the dose anyway.
TERMS OF STORAGE: This drug stores best at room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Fioricet can not be stored in the bathroom.
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